Puppy Care

Vaccines

Below are the recommended vaccine guidelines for puppies. We recommend you discuss these with your veterinarian to decide what is best for your puppy’s lifestyle.

• Distemper/Parvovirus/Adeno2 Vaccines: at least two doses every 3-4 weeks until your puppy is at least 16-18 weeks old.
• Rabies Vaccine: after your puppy is 4 months old.
• Lyme Vaccine: 2 boosters 2-4 weeks apart starting when the puppy is 8-12 weeks or older.
• Leptospirosis Vaccine: 2 boosters 2-4 weeks apart starting when the puppy is 12 weeks old or older.
• Bordetella Vaccine: every 6 months if your dog will be boarded, groomed, goes to dog school, or participates in competitions.
• Influenza Bivalent Vaccine: 2 boosters 2-4 weeks apart if the dog will be boarded, groomed, goes to dog school or competitions, travels with you on vacation, or visits dog parks. After the initial series of this vaccine, it is given annually.

Boosters of all vaccines are due one year later except for the Bordetella vaccine, Distemper Adenovirus, Parainfluenza & Parvovirus (DAPP or DA2PP), and Rabies vaccine which are due every three years after the initial one-year vaccine.

All puppies and dogs need prescription heartworm preventative on the same day of the month, year-round. Discuss with your veterinarian the best one for your puppy.

Find more information on vaccines and their benefits >

Training

Good training starts right away. Your veterinarian can help with great recommendations about housetraining, how to prevent chewing, keeping your puppy from jumping up on people, socializing, and the best training school for your puppy.

Tips

Introduce Your Puppy to Your Home. Start with one area at a time to not overwhelm your puppy — and make sure it’s puppy proof! Show them where their food and water bowls are, introduce them to their crate, and show them where they’ll sleep. 

Pick a Potty Spot! Introduce your puppy to the area where you’d like them to use to go potty. Use treats and praise when they successfully go potty in that area.

Introduce your pet to family members slowly. Everyone will be so excited to meet your new puppy, but try to keep introductions small and quiet.

Chew toys, not slippers. Puppies love to chew. Provide lots of chew toys and if they start to chew on other objects, redirect them back to the toy.

Enforce house rules and routines. Your puppy will be happier when they are safe and have a routine they can depend on. Reinforce good behaviors with treats and praise while redirecting unwanted behaviors.